Mark Lewis-Francis described it as the best second half to a race he had ever
run. If only the same could be said of his disastrous start.

The 28 year-old was forced to settle for silver behind Jamaica’s Lerone Clarke in Thursday’s 100 metres final after his blocks slid backwards as he drove away from the start, leaving him playing catch-up for the rest of the race.

The fact that he managed to recover to challenge Clarke over the final metres was testament to his resurgent form, though it was the Jamaican who was celebrating as he crossed the line in 10.12sec to maintain his country’s pre-eminence in sprints. Lewis-Francis was 0.08sec behind.

“The blocks slipped and that’s why my start was disgusting, but it happens,” shrugged Lewis-Francis, who had no explanation for the mishap.

“I pushed back and they went backwards. I think I did not position them properly. I don't know why they slipped, but I think it's a situation that could have ended a lot worse than it did.”

Despite missing out on his first individual title at a senior international championship, Lewis-Francis was delighted to add to his medal collection following his 100m silver at the European Championships in Barcelona in July.

“That was one of best races I’ve ever run - the second half of the race anyway. For me it's about confidence for next year and for the year after.”

“We all know my weight issues but one more year and I can be there. I don't want to go on about the weight situation because I don't want to go there. I'm the lightest I've ever been, I'm the strongest I've ever been and I'm the oldest.”

England did have a sprint gold medal to celebrate as blind athlete Katrina Hart took the title in the Paralympic T37 100 metres with a world-leading time and lifetime best of 14.36sec.

There was also a bronze in the women’s hammer for England’s Zoe Derham with a throw of 64.04 metres and a silver for Welshwoman Carys Parry with a season’s best 64.93m. Gold went to Canada’s Sultana Frizell with a Games record of 68.57sec.

Martyn Bernard’s hopes of improving on the high jump silver medal he won in Melbourne four years ago ended in failure when he failed even to reach the qualifying height of 2.16m, though Tom Parsons and Samson Oni did make it through to Friday’s final.

“I messed up, that’s all there is to it,” said Bernard. “I’m hugely disappointed to finish the season like this."